Ness School of Management & Economics

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Joseph M. Santos, Professor/Graduate Program Coordinator
Ness School of Management and Economics
Harding Hall
605-688-4141

The graduate program in economics prepares students for professions in business and government as well as for advanced studies in economics and finance. The program offers two curriculum options: an economic theory option and an applied business-economics option. 

The economic theory option includes courses in advanced microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics; additionally, this option emphasizes applied economic research - students complete a six-credit research thesis.  Students customize their plans of study with elective courses in business economics, agricultural marketing, general economics, and agricultural and resource economics. A number of research and teaching assistantships and scholarships may be available to qualified students enrolled in this curriculum option. 

The applied business-economics option includes courses in advanced managerial economics, advanced business decision science, financial management, strategic marketing, and a strategic business decision capstone.  Students customize their plans of study with elective courses in finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, agricultural business and marketing, accounting, and risk management. Coursework is offered in flexible formats, including hybrid, evening and weekend courses, which allow students to complete this option in 12 or 24 months, depending on work and other commitments.

The program also offers an accelerated master’s degree to qualified undergraduate students who maintain an overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 3.5; these students may begin their graduate studies while they complete their undergraduate degree.  Students may apply for admission to the accelerated master’s degree program once they have completed 60 undergraduate credits.

Graduate Faculty

David E. Davis, Professor
Matthew A. Diersen, Professor
Lisa Elliot, Assistant Professor
Matthew Elliot, Assistant Professor
Hailong Jin, Assistant Professor
Eluned Jones, Department Head and Professor
Myoung Gin Keay, Assistant Professor
Nicole Klein, Professor
Deepthi Kolady, Assistant Professor
George Langelett, Professor
Andrea Leschewski, Assistant Professor
David Palmer, Professor
Anna Sadovnikova, Assistant Professor
Craig Silvernagel, Assistant Professor
Joseph M. Santos, Professor
Pei-Yu Sun, Assistant Professor
Nacasius Ujah, Assistant Professor
Evert Van der Sluis, Professor
Tong Wang, Assistant Professor
Zhiguang Wang, Associate Professor
Jason Zimmerman, Professor

Programs

Master’s Degrees

• Economics (M.S.)  

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